1. How did you get involved in the marble and granite business?

My husband, Mustafa Inetas has been involved in the granite business for over 6 years. He was also assisting new fabrication companies in how to set up their fabrication shops. At the time I was working as a Retail Vice President for SunTrust bank and had several granite companies as my clients. In order to meet their financial needs to the fullest extent I had to have a thorough understanding of the industry. One day I told Mustafa, “You’re helping these other companies out, why don’t you open your own shop!” Adil Konya, his partner, had also been working in the industry for numerous years and wanted to have the opportunity to run a business. He heard that Mustafa was looking for a partner and from their initial meetings Flintstone Marble & Granite LLC was born.

A crowd of 3-year-olds in white lab coats surround an alligator in a pond, working to move it to a new home using a stick and a block; no one seems concerned about the teeth. Nearby, a small group of 5 and 6-year-olds observe a volcanic eruption, staring in fascination as the red lava runs down the mountain’s side less than a foot away. Again, no one seems worried. They are not young mad scientists allowed to run amok, but are instead groups of young children learning about and more importantly having fun with, science. This is not an unusual scene at Curiosity Zone in Broadlands Village Shopping Center in Ashburn. Lessons like this are taught, and enjoyed, every day at this popular party destination.

Attorney, inventor and entrepreneur, Mary Porter, founded Curiosity Zone in 2004. Her goal was to provide children with a place to explore, discover and learn. Prior to opening the Curiosity Zone, she studied museums and science programs – testing and researching the best available programs. Her classes were initially developed in 2002 as part of the Genius Jones after-school science program, which was taught in private elementary schools and day care centers in Loudoun and Fairfax counties. “The limits of teaching science in a mobile format became obvious and frustrating,” and the concept of creating a kid-sized science lab emerged. She chose an up and coming shopping center in Broadlands for the location of her first kid friendly laboratory.

Situated just at the edge of historic city of Hillsborough (established in 1752), Hillsborough Vineyards encompasses both the last few acres from Lord Fairfax’ estate (originally 2,500 acres) and a house build in the 1820’s by David Lovett (Founder of Lovettsville, VA).

Owned and operated by the Baki family, Hillsborough Vineyards is the fruit of true family labor and love. Father Bora Baki, a native of Istanbul, Turkey is no stranger to agriculture. He grew up in a family that cultivated grapes and apricots in his native country. Mother Zeynep Baki, also a native of Turkey, cooks delicious meals for the hundreds of visitors that come in waves during the weekend. Their son Kerem is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Master degree in Enology (study of winemaking).

You may have read my recent blog about the recent tax hikes for our homes in Loudoun County. Jim Burton, Supervisor for Blue Ridge District, send me a response defending the tax increase. I am publishing his response without comments. Please click Read More to see the full response.

What does this mean? It means that you will pay 18 cents higher than the current rate of 96 cents per $100 of your home’s assessed value. According to Loudoun Times, the tax rates may also be going to get higher next year. I recently had a correspondence on this issue with Jim Burton, Loudoun County Board of Directors member from Blue Ridge District. I am able to publish it, since all correspondence to government officials becomes part of the public record and may be subject to inspection under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act. Click "Read More" to see my correspondence and his response.

What do you get when you have a Greek and a Romanian in a room? Other than fireworks, you get alchemy. Not gold exactly. You get a garden. A great marriage. A farm. Cosmetics. Scone mixes. You have to wonder what on earth we are talking about. We will start at the beginning

Peter and Sarah Roussos met over 30 years ago and although it wasn’t love at first sight, they quickly found their common European heritage and aspirations for the future a bond that brought them closer. They went to school together and no matter how hard they fought it, Cupid’s arrow found its way to them. They married shortly after leaving their teen years behind.

Their golden dream for the future was to one day move to the country and own a farm. After 30 years of working, loving each other, raising a wonderful son, they did just that. They planted the first seeds of what was to become a new supplier for the Whole Foods Supermarket chain--the Green Alchemy Herb & Mercantile Company.